In keeping with the Patriot Act of 1940, everything in here is classified and thus a "closed" thread.

Pillager and I crossed over to the other side (AE) after taking a long break for the winter. I'm again playing the Allies with Pillager as His (temporarily) Serene Majesty, the Emperor. Let the rematch begin...

We're playing Scenario #6 (December 8th). PDU on, otherwise everything pretty much historical or as close to it as feasible.

At this point we're not using any house rules for this match. If anyone's aware of any commonly used house rules that may be useful or helpful in keeping our match fair and balanced (applicable to or for either side), leaving a post in here with the relevant information would be appreciated. I'll pass the information along to Pillager and we can make a decision on whether we want or need the house rule early on before things get too far along.

Just got Pillager's first turn. I've played Scenario #6 Allies vs Japanese AI into mid-1942. AE is way different from CHS. It's very hard to predict at this time the course our rematch will take. Could be much different, could be very similar. Might be worth dropping $20 for a fortune teller...

It took Pillager a little time to do his first turn, it will probably be true for me as well.

The Big Picture #1 – Opening Strategy, or the World as we know it on 12/08/41.

Overview: While I should avoid using our last war in CHS as a basis for planning this one (see France, Maginot Line), there is no doubt a certain amount of validity in the premise that Pillager will repeat some of his history, especially for those actions that worked effectively for him in CHS and could be reusable in AE. I will have to tread carefully on making any assumptions along this line of thinking.

“Sir Robin”: In general, “Sir Robin” appears to continue applying for much of the Allied opening strategy this time around, though maybe or maybe not to the extent it was in our first match.

One thing I intend to look for in this match through the rest of 1941 and at least early 1942 are opportunities for quick, local offensive actions where significant worthwhile results can be obtained and where they can be done at a somewhat low or moderate risk to Allied forces. Hard to say if, when, or where these opportunities might occur but we’ll have to see. Last time I got too caught up in "getting out of Dodge".

Evacuations: With restricted commands being as they are in AE compared to CHS, there are fewer air units and LCU’s that can be evacuated from Malaya, the Philippines, DEI, and other areas. More of these units will stand and die in AE than they did in our first match in CHS. My thoughts on this is that the added restrictions in AE will likely be more help than handicap, this situation pushing me away from early-game evacuations and into other directions.

Early game PP Expenditures: In our first match, I had placed a great deal of emphasis (and PP expenditures) on evacuating Allied air units and LCU’s from Malaya, the Philippines, DEI, and other locations to India and Australia.

Having done that… it is quite possible these evacuations were at the expense of using PP for other (more critical) Allied early-game actions elsewhere. I had used few or no PP early in our last game for moving U.S. forces off the U.S. west coast to garrison bases in the South Pacific theatre before Pillager moved into the area with Japanese forces to take Canton, Samoa, Suva and Noumea. It’s hard to say if it would have made a difference, but the possibility has to be explored.

Deer in the Headlights: I was certainly guilty of this last time. Paralysis resulting from some of Pillager’s early actions last time around very likely had crucial consequences, especially in the Pacific theatres. Paralysis, along with over-estimation of Japanese capabilities, contributed to at least some of the Allied difficulties in our last match. Real life imitating history... This time I have the opportunity of 20-20 hindsight to reduce or eliminate the paralysis and mis-estimation of Japanese capabilities.

..., regarding HRs, I would certainly suggest you consider having to pay PPs for LCUs to cross land borders. Specifically at the very least Kwantung and Indian Command units would need to pay PPs before leaving Manchuria and India to fight in China and Burma respectively. You could also extend the requirement to cover Thai and Chinese units before they leave their own countries to fight in Burma.

Thirdly, there is considerable more micromanagement in AE. One area where this is particularly critical is pilot training. Whilst it is not appropriate to have a HR, both of you should have a clear understanding. If only one player engages in micromanaging their pilot training, the other will be at a severe disadvantage unless they also engage in such micromanagement. thus either you both do it, or you both don't.

I've been in the habit of doing most of the rear areas first before moving up to the front lines, the practice has shown to have a number of advantages.

Pearl Harbor: The one biggest question at this point... does the KB strike again? In our last episode, Pillager didn’t launch a second strike on Pearl but instead moved the KB eastward to raid shipping lanes leaving the US west coast.

The answer this time around can easily go either way.

Ongoing activities at Pearl include…

(1) Immediately start repair on the more heavily damaged ships. Scenario #6 fixes the roster of US ships damaged and sunk in Pearl on 12/7 at what happened historically so we pretty much knew what ships were hit and how badly. At this point, ship repair facilities at Pearl are being allocated to begin repairs.

(2) Flak LCU’s and operational fighter planes at Pearl on maximum possible alert to oppose a second strike against Pearl by the KB if Pillager launches one.

(3) Undamaged and lightly damaged ships will sortie from Pearl Harbor so as to be at sea in the event of a second KB strike against Pearl. ASW TF’s will be formed from DD’s, escorts and other ships with ASW capability and assigned to clear a lane through Japanese subs for other ships exiting Pearl Harbor.

(4) All operational level bomber, patrol, and recon aircraft will fly naval search on various arcs from due W northward to due E of Pearl Harbor. Primary objective is getting current location and movement of KB to determine Pillager’s short-term plans.

(5) PT boats now at Pearl have been formed into an escort TF along with a number of other ships for immediate transfer to (yet to be determined) bases in the South Pacific area. My thought is these PT’s will be of some value stationed at major bases in the South Pacific area for local defense against Japanese surface and/or amphibious assault TF’s that could likely move against these bases.

(6) Submarines in and near Pearl Harbor are out looking for the KB. Perhaps get really lucky with a “dud” torpedo.

(7) LCU’s not immediately needed to perform a specific function have been set to rest to recover disabled elements.

US Mainland and Canada: Largely getting this area organized. Ongoing activities include…

(1) LCU’s not immediately needed to perform a specific function have been set to rest to recover disabled elements.

(2) Level bomber, patrol and recon air units at coastal bases in the Western US and Canada are performing naval search to spot Japanese submarines operating off the west coast and determine their movements. Plans are to transfer level bomber, patrol, and recon air units now located at inland bases to coastal bases and reinforce naval search patrols off the west coast.

Naval search patrols are planned as the primary activity for level bomber, patrol and recon squadrons assigned to restricted commands in the mainland US and Canada, particularly those air units that cannot be transferred out of a restricted command for deployment to forward areas.

(3) Except for air units participating in naval search patrols off the west coast, all other air units located in the mainland US and Canada currently in a non-restricted command or transferable to a non-restricted command will begin pilot training activity.

I plan to cover the subject of pilot training more extensively later, but in the meantime… I’d say at this point that both Pillager and I engaged in some amount of pilot training in our last match in CHS, and expect that to continue in AE. I anticipate each of us will attempt to manage pilot training to the degree of micro-management consistent with what each of us wants to accomplish and in those areas where useful results are attained. In short, we’ll both be using what works (without an excessive quantity of effort) and working with what’s useful in terms of our objectives.

(4) At this time, no movement of available US planes from the replacement pools to air units is being done. Planes in the replacement pools will not be transferred out of the pools until best allocation of these planes is determined within the next several days or weeks.

(5) Selected port and airfield expansions at mainland US and Canadian bases is underway to maximize available port and airfield facilities in these bases. All available LCU’s now located in the mainland US or Canada with construction engineer elements will be pressed into service for this activity until their departure from the mainland US for deployment to forward operating areas.

(6) Required supply point values to Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles have been increased to maximize concentration of supply points at these locations. These three bases will be the primary departure points for transfer of US forces and materiel (supply, fuel) from the mainland US to forward operating areas.

Alaska: Naval search air patrols operating. Ships not essential to current operations in the Alaska area forming into convoys for departure to the mainland US.

That's all for the moment... moving on to other areas and I will cover those in future posts.

The Big Picture #1a – Opening strategy, or the World as we know it on 12/08/41.

Central Pacific: Hold Wake as long as possible. Hold Midway period. Otherwise, not much else to do for now.

South Pacific: Pillager got me here last time. A Japanese outer perimeter in the South Pacific area including Noumea, Suva, Samoa and Canton Is is very hard to crack. My early-game objective here is to prevent history from repeating itself.

There is very little question that Pillager will set up Japanese expansion in the Pacific to reach this outer perimeter line again, it proved to be very worthwhile in CHS and is equally so in AE. And every bit as hard for the Allied command to defend all these points in 1941 and early 42.

The opening Allied strategy in this theatre boils down to three questions… (1) How much time do the Allies have before the Japanese reach this line? (2) How many and what forces can the Allies bring into this area before the Japanese arrive? (3) How many and which of these bases can be effectively defended against a Japanese assault?

(1) In our last match in CHS, Canton Is fell to the Japanese on 1/5/42, Pago Pago was taken around 2/20/42. It would be a reasonable estimate to say events are likely to move at or close to the same pace this time as well.

(2) Even with Allied reinforcements immediately departing for the South Pacific, it’s going be a close race against Pillager.

The closest source for ground forces to reinforce South Pacific bases is New Zealand, however, NZ ground forces start the game in miserable condition with most New Zealand LCU’s having large numbers of disabled elements.

Australia is a possible source with several fully operational ground units that can be immediately dispatched (with PP expenditures) to the South Pacific area. One Australian infantry unit is now under orders for dispatch to the South Pacific and scheduled to depart in the next 1-2 days. Also, an attempt is being made to evacuate Lark Bn from Rabaul before the Japanese reach that location. A South Pacific base will very well be Lark Bn’s new home if I get it out of Rabaul.

Dispatching US forces from either Hawaii or the mainland US to the South Pacific will have to take into account the KB’s location and movement over the next few game turns. Until I can get a handle on the KB’s location and direction of movement, sending anything from here could run into a delay.

Somehow, from somewhere, we’re going to get something down there… How much and what we get down there determines the answer to question (3).

(3) It’s apparent that the Allies will not be able to defend everything, but may be able to defend at least one or possibly more of the major South Pacific bases.

The basis of my overall defensive plan in the South Pacific is to hold a sufficient portion of the Noumea-Suva-Pago Pago-Canton Is line so as to maintain a viable “bridgehead” in any Japanese outer perimeter line Pillager may attempt to form along this axis.

From an administrative standpoint, defense of the South Pacific theatre will be divided roughly into two areas: a Western Area (using mainly ANZAC forces) centered on Suva, and an Eastern Area (with mainly US forces) centered on Pago Pago. Thus, the planned “bridgehead” is projected to center on Suva and Pago Pago. After these two locations, Canton Is will be held so as to maintain an relatively unobstructed line of communications between the US and the South Pacific/New Zealand/Australia. Noumea is the most difficult of the four to defend and also the closest to major Japanese bases at Truk and Rabaul (once this is captured). Noumea will receive the lowest priority and estimates are that it is likely to fall into Japanese control.

Both the Lexington and Enterprise CV task forces are being dispatched into the South Pacific. Along with locally available Allied surface TF’s, these naval forces will be employed to disrupt Japanese invasion forces moving southward as much as possible at least until Pillager gets his ducks lined together and sends the KB south to end the party. Available PT boats at Pearl Harbor are being dispatched to (yet to be determined) bases in the South Pacific to assist in local defense against Japanese surface naval or invasion TF’s.

In short… we’re going to do what we can with what we can get down there without losing most or all of it (though expecting to lose some of it).

New Zealand: Auckland will be developed as quickly as possible into the primary forward operating base for Allied naval forces in the South Pacific.

Rabaul: As stated above, plans are to evacuate Lark Bn from Rabaul and re-deploy this unit probably in the South Pacific area.

New Guinea and Port Moresby: Defense of Port Moresby proper is receiving a lower priority relative to defensive operations in the South Pacific area. However, locally available Allied surface naval forces will be attempting to disrupt Japanese invasion operations as and where favorable conditions exist.

Wake Is: Two nearby US subs have been diverted to Wake – the subs will refuel from stocks at Wake and await the arrival of the Japanese.

CV Lexington task force: Initial movement orders issued for this TF is to proceed initially on a SSE heading towards Palmyra, then turn SW to search and attack any Japanese invasion forces encountered in the Tarawa and Baker Is area. Orders for this TF are to avoid Japanese LR naval search if possible to allow its arrival in the Tarawa/Baker Is area undetected or if detected, having it detected as late as possible.

CV Enterprise task force: This TF is departing Pearl Harbor and also heading southward. Plans are to either operate in conjunction with the Lexington TF or operate independently farther to the W or SW.

A replenishment TF will be formed at the earliest possible time for support of the Enterprise and Lexington TF’s. This will be done from either Pearl Harbor or the US West Coast depending on how the situation develops.

South Pacific area: Everyone with a shovel on Palmyra, Christmas Is, Canton Is, Samoa, and Suva is digging foxholes. Combat LCU’s on these islands are being kept at rest for the moment to recover as many disabled elements as possible in whatever time they may have to do so.

Transports in the Pensacola convoy now at Canton Is are being diverted to Pago Pago and will disembark troops there. I’m going to try and hold onto something down here unlike last time. CA Pensacola itself has detached from the convoy and is on movement orders to Tarawa.

A small number of empty transport ships now at various locations in the South Pacific area are being dispatched to Auckland or the US west coast.

I’m intending to cover the South Pacific area in a bit more detail in a separate strategy discussion.

Noumea: No engineers on the island, so no one digging foxholes. Empty French and Allied transports now at Noumea are being dispatched to Auckland.

DD Le Triomphant and NZ cruisers Leander and Achilles are on orders to proceed to Noumea and form a surface combat TF (Force N) at Noumea.

New Zealand: New Zealand LCU’s are in a miserable state of readiness. As many of these as possible (including all ground combat units) have been placed in rest mode to recover disabled elements.

Construction to expand port facilities in Auckland is underway. Auckland is being considered as the primary forward support base to service Allied surface naval and carrier forces operating in the South Pacific theatre.

Rabaul: Plans are underway to remove Lark Bn from Rabaul if possible before the arrival of Japanese forces there. An xAP has been dispatched from Port Moresby to pick up Lark Bn in Rabaul.

CL Adelaide is also headed for Rabaul to engage Japanese landing TF(s) in the (unlikely) event Pillager sends an unescorted invasion force into the area.

Ground forces in coastal locations will be left in place to oppose Japanese landings – these will begin withdrawal towards Clark Field and Bataan once a successful Japanese landing has occurred.

The primary focus of Allied defensive ground operations on Luzon will center on a gradual withdrawal to Clark Field with an eventual retreat into Bataan once Clark Field can no longer be held. A modest amount of fortification construction will be done at Bataan – this will begin as early as possible and fortifications built on Bataan to the extent the overall supply situation permits.

Manila will be held as long as possible by rear-guard forces, provided Japanese ground forces do not threaten a cut-off the escape of Allied ground unit(s) in Manila to Clark Field and Bataan. If possible, an active ground defense of Manila will be attempted.

Defense of Mindanao:

Allied ground forces on Mindanao will be conducted such that all ground units on Mindanao will converge on a central “last-ditch stand” location once a successful Japanese landing occurs there.

USAAF & Philippine air forces (fighters):

Fighter air units in the Philippines will operate at continuous 100% CAP as long as these units have operational planes remaining. Once a fighter air unit no longer has any operational planes or if capture of the fighter unit’s airfield by Japanese ground forces is imminent, the fighter unit will be withdrawn (with its surviving pilots).

My experience in AE vs the Japanese AI has shown that several USAAF fighter units starting the game in the Philippines will re-appear in Australia after they are withdrawn. The fighter units re-enter the game in Australia at full TOE strength equipped with P-40E’s but still have withdrawal (deadline) dates.

US air forces (bombers and patrol):

Surviving operational planes in US bomber and patrol units (B-17 and PBY) will be flown southward to Australia (Darwin) as quickly as PP’s can be expended for transfer from the Philippines. These air units will transfer to either South or SW Pacific command.

Elements of US B-17 bomber and PBY patrol air units with non-operational planes or planes that are unable to reach Australia will disband or be withdrawn along with their pilots before capture of their airfield by Japanese ground forces.

Other USAAF and Philippine AF air units: These air units will remain in the Philippines and continue operations as long as the units have operational planes remaining or until capture of the air unit’s airfield by Japanese ground forces is imminent. Once this occurs, these air units will be disbanded or withdrawn from the game.

Allied force evacuations from the Philippines:

Operational planes in US bomber and patrol air units will evacuate by air from the Philippines to the greatest extent possible. No fixed plans are currently in place to evacuate other Allied air units in the Philippines, though this may be attempted if favorable conditions exist and the air unit(s) can be more usefully employed outside the Philippines.

A very limited evacuation of ground units from the Philippines might be attempted might be attempted as conditions permit. If so, ground unit evacuation will include elements of HQ Asiatic Fleet and the Cavite USN Base Force as cadres for later rebuilding to full TOE establishment.

US Naval forces in the Philippines: US surface warships in the Philippines will depart immediately for the DEI, with initial plans to combine in the DEI with Dutch and British surface naval forces.

US warships reaching the DEI undamaged and capable of actively participating in combat operations will remain there to combine with Dutch and British forces. Damaged warships reaching the DEI or reaching the DEI otherwise unable to actively participate in combat operations will refuel and immediately continue sea movement from the DEI to Australia.

US submarines and PT boats in the Philippines will be employed in opposing Japanese amphibious landings, particularly on Luzon. Submarines and PT boats will continue operations in the Philippines as long as they are capable of participating in combat. As individual ships become damaged or run out of ammunition (i.e. torpedoes), these ships will be removed from the Philippines.

British MTB flotillas at Hong Kong will be set for immediate departure to the Philippines and reinforce the US PT boat force in opposing Japanese landings on Luzon.

US & Allied transport shipping in the Philippines: Most US and Allied transport ships in the Philippines will depart immediately for the DEI.

A small number of transport ships will remain in Manila and loaded for immediate evacuation of materiel (fuel, supply, etc) or LCU elements. Transport ships loading with LCU elements or materiel for evacuation will depart immediately after loading is completed or if ordered to depart sooner.

Empty transport ships leaving from the Philippines will be routed to friendly ports in the DEI for loading with appropriate cargo (supply, fuel, oil, resource, etc). Routing of transports to ports in the DEI is subject to the progress of Japanese forces and the threat of possible Japanese air or naval attack while at these ports.

Loaded transport ships will immediately proceed to Australia from the Philippines or the DEI via the most direct route free of Japanese interference.

Port Moresby & New Guinea: Digging foxholes and sending out naval search air patrols. Initial plans are to (mainly) hold out with what I have there, priority for LCU reinforcements from Australia is going to Suva.

Australia: Mostly housekeeping tasks. Many activities along the east coast of Australia similar to what I’m doing in the mainland US – digging in, base facility construction, resting and moving LCU’s.

Many of the large, longer range AK and AP starting in Australian ports have been formed into convoys and departing for off-map bases (Capetown, Aden, Abadan) for eventual use in transporting air and LCU reinforcements and materiel (fuel, supply) from various off-map locations to on-map bases. Some US transport ships starting in Australia will continue off-map movement from Capetown to the eastern US or Panama.

Most available transports at Perth and Darwin were formed into convoys and departed for the DEI to augment evacuation operations as needed.

Several fully-operational Australian combat LCU’s are being earmarked for transfer into the South Pacific area, mainly bound for Suva. For now, priority for shipping LCU reinforcements out of Australia has been given to the South Pacific over Port Moresby/New Guinea.

A supply convoy for Port Moresby is being formed and loaded.

Hong Kong: MTB’s have been formed into two flotillas, both departing for Luzon to assist US forces in opposing Japanese landing ops.

I saw this little “play” in Q-Ball’s AAR and liked it… The three British DD’s at Hong Kong going to Samah for a hit-and-run strike before heading off for the DEI. This should be an interesting “curve ball” to throw at Pillager, not to mention the entertainment value. If they live to reach the DEI, more power to them.

Transport ships are leaving Dodge. So is the RAF. Everyone else is digging foxholes. .

Philippines: Preparations underway on Luzon for the Japanese invasion. All PT boats and submarines have sortied from Manila to positions off the N and NW coast of Luzon.

LCU’s on Luzon with engineer elements not immediately needed elsewhere are in transit to Bataan. Plans are to build a modest level of fortifications in Bataan as the supply point situation there allows.

Combat LCU’s not required for other duties are remaining in rest mode to recover as many disabled elements as time allows before the Japanese invasion.

USAAF and Philippine air force fighter units have been set to full CAP and will oppose Japanese air strikes as long as operational fighter planes remain in action. Operational B-17 bomber and PBY patrol planes from Luzon have flown out to Mindanao and remain there for later evacuation from the Philippines to Australia as PP’s to transfer them become available. Recon air squadrons are flying naval search missions to spot Japanese invasion forces or IJN combat TF’s.

HQ Asiatic Fleet in Manila is being prepped for evacuation. Several fast AP’s and escorts remain in Manila to load as many elements and depart Manila as quickly possible. Asiatic Fleet HQ is the only LCU being evacuated from the Philippines - no plans in place to evacuate any other LCU.

1. Air units which are attached to Asiatic Fleet (such as the PBY) can be transferred out of the Philippines without the need to pay PPs.

2. The engineers in LCUs which are put to rest to recover morale/diabled squads etc, are not employed to build up forts or infrastructure.

3. Those merchantmen you are leaving in Filipino waters can be used to bring back resources to Manila from the various Filipino bases which generate resources. The Light Industry in Manila will continue to generate supplies even after Japanese troops arrive there, provided a stockpile of resources remains at Manila.

4. If you decide to ship oil to Australia, do not import oil from Amerrica. Use the NEI oil fields at Babo and Boela and when they no longer become a viable option, import oil from Abadan.

5. An air unit which has no planes will still train its pilots. You may therefore find it to be more efficacious to not disband (well ahead of their official withdrawal date) USAFFE air units with no aircraft and continue to use them to train pilots, thereby freeing up other training squadrons in other theatres to be moved to the frontline.

6. Unlike classical WITP, partly because of the limited size of garrisons possible on many pacific islands, the Japanese capture of many Pacific islands with the intention of maintaining a garrison on them is now a serious mistake. Do not fall into the trap of losing Allied LCUs as a result of attempting to hold any Pacific island between Hawaii and New Zealand.

Air units which are attached to Asiatic Fleet (such as the PBY) can be transferred out of the Philippines without the need to pay PPs.

Appreciate that one. I thought I would need PP for the PBY's. Just have to concern myself now with PP for the B-17's.

quote:

The engineers in LCUs which are put to rest to recover morale/diabled squads etc, are not employed to build up forts or infrastructure.

I'm actually enabling nearly all my Engineer and Base LCU's (to combat mode) for construction and to support needed air and/or naval ops. The majority of LCU's I'm leaving in rest mode are combat units in rear area locations that I have no immediate plans to move or use, and any combat units closer to the front line that are in no immediate danger of being in combat (I'm trying to recover what few elements in these units I can in whatever time they have before they become engaged with Japanese forces).

quote:

Those merchantmen you are leaving in Filipino waters can be used to bring back resources to Manila from the various Filipino bases which generate resources. The Light Industry in Manila will continue to generate supplies even after Japanese troops arrive there, provided a stockpile of resources remains at Manila.

I didn't see that one, appreciate the tip. What I will do is divert some of the empty merchant ships leaving the Philippines immediately to these bases to pick up what they can on their way out.

quote:

Unlike classical WITP, partly because of the limited size of garrisons possible on many pacific islands, the Japanese capture of many Pacific islands with the intention of maintaining a garrison on them is now a serious mistake. Do not fall into the trap of losing Allied LCUs as a result of attempting to hold any Pacific island between Hawaii and New Zealand.

The quantity and size of available Allied LCU that can reach islands in the South Pacific area in itself limits how much I can even consider to defend. What I did notice was several islands (including both Suva and Pago Pago) do have unlimited LCU stacking, large base sizes (when fully expanded), and also serve as "bridgeheads" in the Japanese outer perimeter line (Noumea, Suva, Samoa, Canton Is...) I believe Pillager would like to create this time around (as this perimeter line worked out well for him in our CHS match). All three of these things being major factors behind my choice of Suva and Samoa. Canton Is would be nice to hold, but that could end up taking the "back seat".

My primary mode of defense in the South Pacific will be launching quick, local naval counterattacks against lightly escorted or unescorted Japanese invasion fleets. This might slow Pillager's progress a little, however, my naval counter-moves will have to eventually end once Pillager sends the KB in to cover Japanese operations. The idea being... require Pillager to employ the KB to escort almost any significant Japanese invasion fleet, whether I do anything to oppose it or not. If nothing else, it will waste (Pillager's) time, put some wear and tear on the KB's ships, not to mention the use of valuable Japanese fuel.

Allied ground forces: Allied ground combat forces on the Malayan mainland will conduct the longest possible delaying action on the mainland, with the object of prolonging the defense of Singapore. Plans are to accomplish this without Allied units being outflanked by Japanese ground advances or amphibious landings.

The initial main line of resistance for British forces is planned to form in central Malaya and gradually withdraw southward towards Singapore.

Allied ground units starting in northern Malaya will immediately withdraw southward. Combat units from northern Malaya will reinforce the main British front line in central Malaya or be used to reinforce defense of coastal points in southern Malaya against Japanese amphibious landings.

Allied non-combat ground units from northern Malaya will pass through the front line and continue their movement southward.

Withdrawal of all Allied ground forces will converge on Singapore for a final stand when the defense of mainland Malaya is no longer possible.

Allied air forces in Malaya (fighter units): Allied fighter air units in Malaya will operate at continuous 100% CAP over Singapore for as long as possible to cover departure of Allied naval and transport ships out of Singapore. This practice is similar to that being done with fighters with US air forces in the Philippines.

Operational planes from Allied fighter units in Malaya starting outside Singapore on 12/8/41 will immediately transfer into Singapore to assist covering departure of Allied ships. A small number of Allied transport ships will remain in Singapore to evacuate depleted air units.

Once all Allied ships have left (or are leaving) Singapore, surviving operational fighter planes will transfer by air from Singapore to the DEI. If possible, non-operational planes in British fighter units at Singapore and their pilots will be evacuated by sea aboard the last Allied transport ships leaving Singapore.

Allied air forces in Malaya (other plane types): Evacuation or transfer of other Allied air units (bomber, recon, patrol) from Malaya will be accomplished by either air or sea as early as possible once any possible missions for these air units have been accomplished.

Allied bomber units in Malaya will be employed before evacuation to attack Japanese targets as suitable opportunities for this occur.

Elements of Allied air units with non-operational planes unable to evacuate from Singapore will be withdrawn or disbanded with their pilots following departure of the last Allied ships from Singapore or the base where their airfield is located.

Allied force evacuations from Malaya: Allied air units in Malaya will be transferred or evacuated out of Malaya to the greatest extent possible. Air units will depart Malaya only after the end of any air combat operations required of them as described in previous sections of this discussion.

A very limited evacuation of ground units from Singapore might be attempted as conditions permit and only for those ground unit(s) deemed to be more effectively employed in later actions elsewhere. Ground unit evacuation will be restricted to small LCU’s with a low command re-assign PP cost that can be quickly embarked aboard transport ships, and priority given to ground units containing engineer, air and/or naval support elements.

British naval forces in Malaya: British naval forces in Malaya including Force Z will depart immediately for the DEI, with initial plans to combine in the DEI with Dutch and US surface naval forces.

British warships reaching the DEI undamaged and capable of active participation in combat operations will remain to combine with Dutch and US naval forces. Damaged British warships reaching the DEI and warships reaching the DEI otherwise unable to actively participate in combat operations will immediately continue sea movement to either India or Australia.

Allied transport shipping in Malaya: Most transport ships will depart Malaya for the DEI or India immediately, with the exception of transport ships being loaded or earmarked to be loaded for evacuations.

Empty transport ships leaving Malaya for the DEI will be routed to friendly ports in the DEI for loading with appropriate cargo (supply, fuel, oil, resource, etc). Routing of transports to ports in the DEI is subject to the progress of Japanese forces and the threat of possible Japanese air or naval attack while at these ports.

Loaded Allied transport ships (from either Malaya or the DEI) will immediately proceed to Australia or India via the most direct route free of Japanese interference.

Burma: The ground defense of Burma will mainly be in the interior areas with rear-guard actions at Rangoon and the Moulmein area.

Plans are to conduct the ground defense of Burma as a series of delaying actions using a minimum of Allied ground forces. Allied combat LCU’s in Burma that exceed what is needed to adequately conduct delaying actions will be immediately begin withdrawal into India. Withdrawal of non-combat Allied LCU’s from Burma will occur immediately for individual units not assigned to a specific task and later on for those units with an assigned task once they are no longer needed for the task

Most ground unit withdrawals into India will be done via land movement, though sea evacuations will be considered in some cases where necessary.

Air defense of Burma will mainly be centered at Rangoon. Allied fighter air units along will be transferred into Rangoon and operate at continuous 100% CAP over Rangoon as long as possible to cover departure of Allied transport ships performing evacuations from Rangoon. This practice is similar to that being done with fighters with Allied and US air forces in the Philippines and Malaya.

Rangoon airfield will be used as a transit point for Allied air units flying out of Malaya and continuing to India.

Allied air units in Burma, including the AVG, will depart for India once they no longer have operational planes, complete their assigned missions, or when Japanese ground forces threaten Rangoon. Air units leaving Burma will transfer by air if possible, though sea evacuations will be considered as necessary.

Allied transport ships already at Rangoon will be used in evacuations. Additional transports will be dispatched to Rangoon from ports in India to increase available shipping capacity for sea evacuations.

India: Early game strategy in India largely involves “housekeeping”.

Plans are to fortify and garrison all ports along the eastern coast of India along with Ceylon to defend against possible Japanese amphibious landing(s). Allied combat and engineer ground units will be transferred from the interior of India to locations on the eastern coast as and where necessary.

Allied ground LCU’s of all types in India not currently needed for any activity will be set to rest mode to recover disabled elements.

Larger and long-range transport ships starting the game in Indian ports will depart India for off-map bases (Capetown, Aden, Abadan) for eventual use in transporting reinforcements and materiel (fuel, supply, etc) from off-map bases to on-map locations. Smaller and short-range transport ships will remain at Indian ports for use in local sea transport between on-map locations.

Allied ground unit reinforcements (British 18th Division and several Indian brigades) enroute by sea to Singapore and Rangoon will be diverted to eastern India.

Malaya: Ground units in Alor Star and Georgetown set to begin retreating southward, these units issued orders to establish a defensive position at Kuala Lumpur.

Most combat ground units in central and southern Malaya and Singapore are set in rest mode to recover as many disabled elements as possible in whatever time is available. Flak units at bases on the Malayan mainland are under orders to move into Singapore as quickly as possible to augment anti-air defenses there.

Engineers at Singapore and Johore Bahru have been put to work digging foxholes.

Operational planes from two Blenheim squadrons in northern Malaya airfields flown out to Rangoon. RAAF Buffalo fighters at Georgetown along with most operational planes at Kota Bharu transferred by air to Singapore.

Available torpedo bomber squadrons are set to fly (night) naval attack strikes against Japanese ships off Kota Bharu. While a night attack does carry a high probability of not finding a target, at least they will reach the target if they do fine one. Operational torpedo planes based in Singapore have transferred by air to reinforce these strikes starting 12/9.

Dutch submarines operating off the Malayan coast are moving to Kota Bharu.

Force Z with all RN warships in Singapore departed for DEI.

Most transport shipping is departing Singapore, many ships with initial orders to proceed to Palembang and load with oil or fuel cargo, then depart the DEI for India or Australia. Other transports from Singapore moving to bases elsewhere in the DEI to pick up cargoes. A small number of AKL’s and several AP remain in Singapore to load a NZ Engineer unit and to evacuate Allied air units that “burn out” in combat operations.

24 NZ Pioneer Coy is the only Allied ground unit designated for evacuation from Malaya.

Burma and India: Lots of “housekeeping” activity underway including movements of ground units and ships, construction of fortifications and base facilities, etc as described in the strategy discussion.

Overview: The overall intent of Allied defense of the DEI is to force the Japanese into as prolonged a campaign as possible, maximizing evacuation of Allied ships and materiel, and inflicting the most possible casualties to Japanese forces.

US and British forces withdrawing from Malaya and the Philippines will be used to the greatest extent possible for reinforcing Allied forces defending the DEI. No plans are in place to reinforce Allied forces defending the DEI with resources brought in from Australia, India, or the US.

Evacuations from the DEI: As much as possible, Allied forces defending the DEI and deemed valuable for later operations will be withdrawn from the DEI when it is determined that effective opposition to Japanese advance in the DEI is no longer possible, or once Allied forces can no longer operate effectively in the DEI without a high risk of heavy damage or destruction.

Evacuation of materiel (oil, fuel, resources, supply) from stocks at locations in the DEI will be carried out to the greatest extent possible. A limited evacuation of some Dutch “specialist” LCU’s may also be done where these units can be useful in future actions outside the DEI, PP are available to evacuate them, and further presence of these units in the DEI no longer serves a useful purpose. “Specialist” LCU may include flak units, units containing air and/or naval support elements, possibly several very small combat units. Evacuated Dutch LCU’s will likely be transferred to SW or South Pacific commands and initially operate from bases in Australia.

Evacuations from the DEI will be carried out to the greatest extent possible that allows for available cargo capacity, the period of time where evacuations can be done safely from various locations, subject to the rate and direction of Japanese advance into the DEI.

Plans are to transport the bulk of materiel (oil, fuel, resources, supply) cargoes evacuated from the DEI to bases in Australia.

Allied naval forces in the DEI: Dutch surface naval forces in the DEI will be reinforced US and British warships departing from Malaya and the Philippines.

The combined Allied surface naval force (Dutch, British, U.S.) in the DEI will be employed to engage Japanese landing forces wherever possible and when favorable conditions to do this exist. Employment of Allied surface combat TF’s will be done as “hit and run” operations – go in, attack, leave immediately regardless of outcome. Combat operations by Allied naval forces in the DEI will be carried out as much as possible to avoid Japanese LBA, carriers, and enemy surface combat TF’s of equal or greater strength.

Allied PT boats and submarines in the DEI will be employed against Japanese amphibious operations, particularly in locations that cannot be safely reached by Allied surface combat TF’s.

Allied surface warships, PT boats, and submarines will depart the DEI for Australia or India immediately as they become damaged, are no longer capable of participating in combat operations (out of ammunition and cannot replenish), or once Allied ships can no longer operate in the DEI without high risk of sinking or major damage.

Allied transport shipping in the DEI: All available Allied transport ships in the DEI will be pressed into evacuation duties. To the greatest extent possible, transport ships will be loaded with appropriate cargo before departing the DEI for Australia or India.

A large number of empty or partially loaded British and US transport ships leaving Singapore and the Philippines are expected to safely reach various locations in the DEI, and will be employed to augment evacuation operations in the DEI. US and British transports reaching the DEI will be routed to various ports and will be loaded in the DEI with appropriate cargo before continuing to Australia or India.

Allied Ground forces in the DEI: Except for the small number of “specialist” LCU’s being evacuated, all other Dutch land forces will remain in the DEI and continue resistance to the end. This policy is set by “default” in AE given the assigned command for nearly all Dutch LCU’s cannot be transferred outside of ABDA.

Engineer elements will be left at bases with major oil or resource facilities to perform demolitions.

Most of the small number of British and US LCU’s being evacuated from Malaya or the Philippines are expected to pass through the DEI while enroute to either Australia or India. No current plans are in effect to disembark these units in the DEI to reinforce Dutch ground forces..

Allied air forces in the DEI: The bulk of Allied air defense in the DEI is expected to be handled by the Dutch air force. While Dutch air units will remain in the DEI and continue resistance to the end, it is not expected that operations by Dutch LBA will have a significant effect against the Japanese advance. The greatest contribution by Dutch LBA is anticipated to be in naval search operations to detect Japanese ship movements.

I am not planning at this time to employ US or British air forces in the DEI, except possibly for very limited air operations where using them could bring a significant result.

DEI Overview: Dutch engineer LCU’s busy digging foxholes at locations throughout the DEI. The same for British base force LCU’s on the NW coast of Borneo.

Dutch ground forces: Most Dutch ground combat units remain set in rest mode to recover what disabled elements they can in whatever time they have to do so. Some engineer units set with movement orders to proceed to other locations where they will assist in building fortifications and/or to be in place at the location to perform demolition of oil & resource production facilities, refineries, etc.

DEI naval forces: Several Allied surface combat TF’s will be forming in the DEI as US and British warships arrive in the DEI from the Philippines and Singapore.

A task force of US warships (ABDA Force North) is forming near Tarakan – this force is slated to include CA Houston, CL’s Boise & Marblehead with 6-8 DD’s. ABDA Force North is intended to engage Japanese invasion TF’s moving into the southern Philippines, northern Celebes, and the Makassar Strait area.

A screen of four Dutch SS is forming a line off the NW coast of Borneo to intercept incoming Japanese invasion and/or surface combat TF.

Dutch PT boat flotillas and several Dutch submarines are proceeding to the eastern DEI area to assist in naval defense of the eastern DEI area.

Dutch and Allied transport ships are now moving to various locations in the DEI to begin picking up cargoes for removal from the DEI.

DEI air forces: Most Dutch air units are stood down to recover damaged planes. Some Dutch patrol squadrons are now set to fly naval search missions

I actually have the Dutch AA units high on my list for evacuation out of the DEI. My premise being the AA units will have little bearing against Japanese air attacks in the DEI and could be more useful as a reinforcement to Allied flak strength defending Darwin, Sydney or some other base in Australia.

Overview: After browsing several Allied AAR in the forums, I concluded that China is apparently a very difficult area to play for the Allied side (even more so than CHS), mainly in the sense that Chinese combat LCU are no match for the IJA. In any event, I will not have a very long wait to see exactly how this plays out.

If China is, in fact, a difficult place for the Allies to play, perhaps something to look at is what difficulties the Japanese side has (or can potentially have) in China and any measures an Allied player can do to increase or add to difficulties for the Japanese.

Aside from making immediate moves (to be covered in a separate discussion), I can see myself having a small amount of time in China to come up with and begin implementation of a long-term strategy. I’m going to have to research this a little more in the forums to get some kind of idea as to what I want to do in China that could possibly work as an Allied strategy in this theatre.

In the short term, Chinese LCU’s in rear-area locations are being set in rest mode to recover disabled elements.

In front line areas, I will be pulling back Chinese LCU’s from exposed forward areas likely to be immediately overrun or cut-off by Japanese forces (Pillager having effectively employed a number of “pincer moves” in China during our last CHS match). I am seeing several instances of Chinese ground units in forward locations where a successful withdrawal is unlikely – these units may need to break up to fragments and disperse “into the woods” to either interfere with Japanese movements or disrupt Japanese supply routes.

For the moment, most or all of the Chinese air force will be stood down to recover damaged planes, though some air units could be activated if an opportunity to harass Japanese forces from the air shows itself.

China strategy is one area that I will have to explore the accumulated wisdom (or lack thereof) of fellow players. Right now I don’t have an idea of an effective long-term China strategy I want to follow.

House rules item: I can see where the house rule Alfred suggested earlier on expending PP for moving Japanese LCU’s overland from Manchuria will be very important in the China campaign – and by extension, maybe also ground campaigns in Burma and India.

Overview: I mostly covered initial Chinese moves in my earlier strategy discussion (above) on this theatre, though I will go into some smaller detail here.

One very small disappointing item… after looking through the inventory of Chinese air units, Lt Zwolin and his notorious 7th CAF “Den of Thieves” fighter squadron is nowhere to be seen. A lost legend from our last CHS match! Perhaps some other enterprising Chinese fighter squadron will take up the mantle and the legend may yet live on.

Northern & Central China: These regions of China are where the bulk of Chinese LCU in exposed forward positions are present, particularly in a large salient between Sinyang and Keifeng. Most Chinese ground forces in this salient have orders to withdraw on Nanyang.

Several of the most forward Chinese ground units in the salient were broken up into sub-units as it is unlikely they will escape the Japanese advance. I may opt to break up other Chinese units in the salient that may be threatened with an overrun by approaching Japanese ground forces – this will be evaluated and done if needed on a case-by-case basis.

Wenchow: Chinese HQ and combat LCU are evacuating the city. However, 14 Chinese Base Force is remaining behind on the chance its engineer elements can perform demolitions on the inviting resource production and industry (heavy & light) installations located in Wenchow.

Southern China: Chinese ground forces are mostly remaining in place, this part of China appearing to be the one sector where a coherent Chinese front line can be maintained at least for the moment. One or two Chinese LCU in this area are located in exposed forward positions and are gradually withdrawing into the main Chinese front line.

Hong Kong: British air units evacuating from Hong Kong are transferring by air through southern China towards northern Burma in several stages. Final planned destination of the British air units is India.

I'm done! Now holding my nose and crossing fingers as I exit the orders phase....

The house rule Alfred suggested concerning paying PP costs for LCU's crossing borders by land will certainly be passed along to Pillager along with my first turn move. This is a HR that has considerable effect on the course of the game.

I actually have the Dutch AA units high on my list for evacuation out of the DEI. My premise being the AA units will have little bearing against Japanese air attacks in the DEI and could be more useful as a reinforcement to Allied flak strength defending Darwin, Sydney or some other base in Australia.

Good strategy, but with the historical HRs Fletcher and I are playing with, the withdrawal of KNIL units away from Java isn't allowed.

If the report is true, the SW heading of this contact is taking it directly towards Johnston Is. Naval search patrols from both Pearl and Johnston Is are under orders to cover a line of movement between the reported position of this contact and Johnston Is.

Otherwise one US TK was torpedoed and damaged off Lahaina in a submarine attack.

Most Japanese subs appear to be moving away from Hawaii, in either of two known directions. One group of Jap subs is moving away to the SW. A second group of Jap subs is moving to the E and NE of Pearl, apparently to intercept any ships I’m sending from Pearl to the US mainland. Having considered the (likely) possibility that Pillager would place subs east of Pearl, all ships leaving Pearl had been moved off to the SE. At this time, I have not made any final decision on immediately dispatching any ships (damaged or otherwise) from Pearl to the US mainland.

Ships in port that were attacked in Manila were remaining there to load elements of HQ Asiatic Fleet. A transport TF was formed this turn from these ships and is now loading HQ Asiatic Fleet elements. Departure of the TF from Manila is scheduled for next game turn.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77

DEI: A number of actions reported in the sea areas S of Mindanao, also the Makassar Straits and at Balikpapan.

Pillager moved two Jap TF’s westward through the straits between Mindanao and Celebes.

A small Jap carrier TF (CVL Ryuho, 1 CL, 6 DD) attacked Allied transports near Tarakan (AAR’s of this TF follow). The carrier TF may also be intended to intercept US transports moving southward from the Philippines.

A Jap surface combat TF (initial strength 3 CA, 7 DD) entered the Makassar Straits and raided Balikpapan. CL Marblehead and the US DD’s had been moving northward to join with CA Houston & CL Boise to form the ABDA Northern Force. Plans to form an ABDA Northern Force are temporarily abandoned, the Houston and Boise re-routed on an alternate course to evade contact with both Jap TF’s.

USAAF B-17’s now at Cagayan have been ordered on naval strike for a possible attack against the CVL Ryuho TF.

Note: Japanese surface ships expended a considerable amount of ammunition and torpedoes in this action with only one of the torpedoes fired hitting an Allied ship. While one cannot make a broad conclusion from what is shown in one surface naval action, the performance of the Long Lance may not in all instances be that of a “finely tuned watch”. Not to become overconfident here… but Japanese torpedoes just may not always be an invincible weapon, at least under some circumstances.

Unless what I saw in the combat replay is a FOW quirk, this Japanese TF may have few if any torpedoes on board left to fire. Force Z is now moving eastward though it’s still quite a distance away. If they can reach the Makassar Straits in time to take on this Jap TF, the results could be lucrative.

Hong Kong: No reported attacks on British transports fleeing southward by Japanese aircraft or surface naval forces.

Hard to say what happened with the British destroyer raiding force sent to attack Samah… Current location of British DD’s is just outside Samah. In any event, the element of surprise has been lost. British DD’s will re-enter Samah during the night phase of the coming game turn, then withdraw SE towards the Philippines.

Malaya: Relatively quiet. One HDML sunk by air attack in Georgetown.

All available British torpedo bomber air units were moved into range to launch a night air strike against Japanese transport shipping at Kota Bharu. Why a night attack? The odds are no worse than those of an unescorted day attack. At least the torpedo bombers won’t encounter Japanese CAP at night and (everything else being equal) they all come back.

British ground forces defending Kota Bharu at least hold out for one more day. AAR follows.

Hawaii: This report from SS Argonaut (SE of Laysan Is) yields a small clue on the whereabouts of at least some of the KB.

SS Argonaut snooped by D3A1 Val at 165,97 near Laysan Island

TK Gulfhawk sinks at Hilo from damage suffered in torpedo attack near Lahaina on 12/8.

One reported contact with Jap submarine SW of Oahu.

Tarawa: Unidentified Japanese task force detected N of Tarawa, possible invasion force. CA’s Louisville and Pensacola were dispatched separately into the Gilbert Islands area – both cruisers now routed to Tarawa. CA Louisville is off Ocean Is and expected to reach Tarawa this game turn. CA Pensacola’s location is W of Howland Is and approaching Tarawa from the SE. CV Lexington task force is turning SW towards Baker Is.

Australia: All long range AK and some AKL are now underway from Australian bases to either Capetown or the US. Allied transport ships that remain at bases in Australia are short range AK and AKL’s, these ships sufficient for coastal traffic around Australia and for short-range transportation within the ANZAC region

Philippines: Heavy Japanese fighter sweep activity (all Zeroes) over Clark Field and Iba. Several air-to-air combats occurred between Jap fighter sweeps and US fighter CAP. Intelligence report display shows a total of 30 US fighters destroyed (combat and ops losses), two Zeroes destroyed in air-to-air combat.

No reported Japanese LBA bombing attacks over Luzon this game turn.

US submarines and PT boats have reached patrol stations off NW Luzon to intercept Japanese invasion forces. British MTB flotillas from Hong Kong have arrived at Luzon and now refueling.

A Japanese surface combat task force (CA Chokai, 5 DD) moved on an east to west course off the southern coast of Luzon, taking a heavy toll on Allied shipping moving south from Manila and Naga in several actions. AAR’s and situation map follow. Pillager is going much more aggressively against Allied ships leaving the Philippines in this match in AE compared to our last game in CHS.

In the surface combat action near Lubang (#4 below), the Japanese TF expended a considerable amount of ammunition. As in yesterday’s (12/8) action off Balikpapan, many Long Lance torpedoes were launched at various ranges with a very small number of hits recorded (only two torpedo hits on the Allied transport ships attacked at Lubang).

The cruisers Houston and Boise are still attempting to exit the Philippines. Both ships are now moving together and currently located in the Cagayan area. They were originally planned to merge with CL Marblehead and the five DD sunk off Balikpapan yesterday (12/8) to form ABDA Force North task force. Current orders for Houston and Boise are basically to “get out of Dodge”.

DEI: Current location of the Jap CVL Ryuho TF is now off (N of) Manado, moving on a SE heading. Planes from the Ryuho TF attacked AVD William Preston SE of Manado. AVD Preston was undamaged in the attack.

The Jap surface combat TF (now 3 CA, 4 DD) that raided Balikpapan yesterday (12/8) is now located SE of Tarakan, and also reported moving on a SE heading.

An unidentified Japanese TF is detected moving eastward from Indochina. Two Sigint report entries indicate Jap LCU’s preparing for an attack on Miri – could be a possible destination of this TF.

Force Z is now moving eastward through the Java Sea. Four damaged British DD were detached from Force Z – these DD will refuel at Batavia, then escort transport convoys departing the DEI for India or Australia. British CL’s Dragon and Durban, along with Dutch naval forces (3 CL, 2 DD), are under orders to merge with Force Z as it moves through the Java Sea.

South China Sea: A British AKL fleeing Hong Kong was sunk by air attack (B5N1’s) southeast of Samah.

Attempted British torpedo bomber night air strike did not occur. Operational planes in British torpedo air units returned to Singapore, plans are to transfer these by air to positions in the DEI.

British ground forces still holding Kota Bharu though I expect it to fall within the next day or two at the most.

Burma: Additional transport ships due to arrive shortly in Rangoon to begin sea evacuation of units and materiel from Burma to India. Some LCU’s in excess of those needed for the planned ground defense of Burma have already begun overland movement out of Burma, initial movement destination for most of these LCU will be Akyab.

Allied fighter air units in Burma (including the AVG) are transferring into Rangoon to engage Japanese air attacks. Most air base LCU’s in central Burma also moving to Rangoon. Plans as of now are to eventually transfer the AVG to India (probably Calcutta).

Hawaii: AKL Regulus attacked and sunk by KB six hexes due S of Midway Is. Various reports identified all Jap carriers except Kaga present at this location. Appears that Pillager might have sent the KB to this area in search of the CV Lexington TG returning from Wake Is. Current location of CV Lexington TG is near Baker Is – approx 2-3 days sailing from the KB’s location.

Ships at Pearl Harbor damaged on 12/7 had been formed into a TF with escorts and moved to Hilo on 12/8 in anticipation of a second Japanese attack on Pearl. I had been planning to move these ships back to Pearl this next game turn to begin repairs, but in light of the KB’s activity and current known location near Midway, I am instead sending the entire group of damaged ships from Hilo to the mainland US for repair as long as the coast is (relatively) clear.

One Jap submarine spotted WSW of Oahu. No other Jap subs detected near Hawaii.

An interesting question to pose… I have a PBY patrol squadron at Pearl Harbor with no planes (either operational or damaged) and only one pilot (the squadron commander). Given that the production rate for PBY’s in AE is miserably low, would it be worthwhile to withdraw or disband this squadron and let it return to the game later or just leave the squadron at Pearl with no planes and the squadron commander?

Gilbert Is: Japanese landing forces capture Tarawa and Tabituea. Tabituea has the largest expandable airfield size (size 3) of any of the beach hexes in the southern Gilbert Is area.

CA Louisville intercepted and sank four Jap PB at Tarawa but failed to engage the Jap amphibious landing TF. Louisville is being turned back to Tarawa to get the Jap transports.

CA Pensacola is also near Tarawa and will be diverted to Tabituea to attack Jap transports there.

The CV Lexington task group is NE of Baker Is and not expected to reach the Gilbert Is area in time to attack Japanese TF’s at Tarawa or Tabituea. As the CV Lexington group is undetected at this time, my plan is to hold it “in reserve” to await Pillager’s next invasion as long as Pillager remains unaware of its location.

CV Enterprise task group is approaching Palmyra and will continue movement southward – its destination at this time the Samoa/Canton Is area. Likewise, Pillager has no known information on this TF's whereabouts.

I’m not planning to oppose (with naval forces) an imminent Japanese invasion at Rabaul for two reasons – (1) not enough time to form an Allied surface combat TF in the Rabaul area that is sufficient to effectively oppose a Japanese invasion force, and (2) my expectation is Pillager will likely provide a surface naval escort for any Japanese invasion force at Rabaul that would be greater than any Allied surface combat force capable of reaching Rabaul to oppose an invasion there.

I’m expecting to employ Force N in the Solomons in position to oppose Japanese forces entering there. A small AO is being dispatched from Australia to operate as a replenishment TF for Force N.

Rabaul: An Australian AP arrived at Rabaul and is now embarking Lark Bn. Plans are to evacuate Lark Bn from Rabaul to either Port Moresby or Australia.

No reported Japanese LBA bombing attacks over Luzon again this game turn.

CA Houston and CL Boise attempting to exit the Sulu Sea was intercepted and attacked by a Japanese surface combat TF in a lengthy action off Jesselton. AAR follows. CL Boise is still doing 20 knots and moving southward along the west coast of Borneo at maximum speed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Time Surface Combat, near Jesselton at 68,85, Range 25,000 Yards

What is interesting in recent surface naval actions is the performance of Long Lance torpedoes, especially against warships. Accuracy of the Long Lance other than at short ranges or in surprise situations might be open to question in many instances. In all of these surface actions, Japanese ships very quickly fired large numbers of torpedoes from at least medium range (12-15000+ yards) with very few or no hits. While accuracy of the Long Lance torpedo has not appeared to be good in the naval actions seen so far in this match, there remains little doubt as to the effect of a Long Lance when one hits its target.

Allied transport ships and auxiliaries leaving the Philippines are still moving southward through the Sulu Sea in single-ship TF’s. Absolutely no point in taking evasive action, they’re now running the gauntlet (or what there still is of it), it’s basically damn the torpedoes. Those who can make it, will.

DEI: Current location of the Jap CVL Ryuho TF is now E of Manado, moving on a SE heading into the eastern DEI. The Ryuho TF attacked and sank AVD William Preston and two AKL’s in air strikes S of Ternate.

Pillager is apparently sending CVL Ryuho to intercept Allied transports moving towards Darwin. Except for AVD Preston and the two AKL's, there is very little Allied shipping in the eastern DEI.

No further contact reported with the Jap surface combat TF that detected off Tarakan last game turn - this TF is different from the Jap surface TF intercepting Houston and Boise above, and is the one which raided Balikpapan on 12/8.

Force Z is in the central Java Sea area and now putting into Soerabaja for refueling.

Sea evacuation operations in the DEI are proceeding so far as planned, though the schedule of ship departures from the DEI is likely to be accelerated.

Malaya: Japanese ground forces capture Kota Bharu. Last Indian combat units in Alor Star are evacuating to the south – all British ground units in starting positions north of Kuala Lumpur have already moved to the south or are now doing so.

British torpedo bomber squadrons are departing Malaya by air for the DEI. Current plans are to use these air units for naval strike operations from Java.

We have implemented a house rule in our match concerning LCU's belonging to restricted commands crossing various land borders in mainland Asia - this rule pretty much follows Alfred's earlier suggestion and also basically follows the same line of thought as the house rule in common use for this. Main focus of the house rule is on Japanese LCU in Manchuria & Korea (Kwantung Army), Chinese units entering Burma, and the Thai Army. PP expenditures will be required under the house rule for all the above.